Katy's heart sank within her; for now that Mrs. Gordon was not at hand, she did not feel like asking any other person; and if the case had not been urgent, she would have been satisfied to return home, and regard the lady's absence as a sufficient excuse for not procuring the money. "You want to see her very much?" asked Michael. "Very much, indeed." "Can I be of any service to you?" "No, Michael." "Perhaps I can, Katy." "No, I'm much obliged to you." "If it's anything in the house you want, I can get it for you." "No, I must see Mrs. Gordon." "If it's any nice preserve or jelly you want just say the word, and I'll bring it to you at once." "I do not want anything of that kind. Do you think Mrs. Gordon will return by to-morrow?" "I thought she would be here yesterday, and she may come to-night." "Very well; I will, perhaps, call again to-morrow," and she turned to leave. "I'll tell Mrs. Gordon you came. Stop a minute, Katy. Won't you tell me what you want?" "I would rather not, Michael; but I will come again to-morrow." "See here, Katy; maybe you're short of money. If you are, I have a matter of three hundred dollars in the Savings Bank; and you may be sure you shall have every cent of it if you want it." This was a very liberal offer, though it is probable he did not think she would want any considerable portion of it, or that she could even comprehend the meaning of so large a sum. Katy was sorely tempted to negotiate with him for the loan but she was not sure that it would be proper to borrow money of the servant, and perhaps Mrs. Gordon would not like it. "I thank you, Michael; you are very kind, but I think I would rather see Mrs. Gordon." "I have a matter of five or six dollars in my pocket now; and it that'll be of any service to you, take it and welcome." Katy stopped to think. A few dollars would be all that she needed before the return of Mrs. Gordon; and yet she did not feel like accepting it. What would the lady say on her return, when told that she had borrowed money of her servant? Yet the servant had a kind heart, and really desired to serve her. Was it not pride that prevented her from accepting his offer? Did she not feel too proud to place herself under obligations to the servant? She felt rebuked at her presumption; for what right had she to make such distinctions? If she had been a lady, like Mrs. Gordon, she might have been excusable for cherishing such pride; but she was a poor girl; she was actually in want. "Michael, you are so good, that I will tell you my story," said she, conquering her repugnance. "Just come in the house, then;" and he led her into the sitting-room; being, in the absence of the mistress, the lord and master of the mansion, and feeling quite at home in that position.